How do you use a raft to explore the Black Forest biome safely?

Exploring the Black Forest biome in Valheim can be dangerous, especially for new players, but using a raft is a safe and effective way to navigate its shores and avoid hostile creatures. The Black Forest is home to Greydwarves, Trolls, and other threats, making overland travel risky. A raft allows you to scout the coastline, locate valuable resources like copper and tin, and avoid unnecessary combat. To use a raft effectively, you must first craft it and understand its mechanics.\n\nTo build a raft, you need 20 Wood, 6 Leather Scraps, and 6 Resin. Wood is easily gathered by chopping trees, while Leather Scraps come from hunting Boars, and Resin is obtained by destroying Greydwarf nests or chopping trees. Once you have the materials, open your crafting menu (press Tab) and select the raft under the Misc tab. Place the raft in shallow water, as it cannot be deployed on land or in deep water. Once placed, you can board it by pressing E.\n\nUsing a raft in the Black Forest requires careful planning. The raft is slow and vulnerable to attacks from Sea Serpents or Greydwarves throwing rocks, so stick close to the shoreline. Avoid venturing too far into open water, as storms or waves can make navigation difficult. Use the raft to scout for safe landing spots near resource-rich areas, such as copper deposits or tin veins along the coast. Mark these locations on your map for future reference.\n\nOne common challenge is dealing with Greydwarves while on the raft. These creatures can throw rocks at you from the shore, damaging both you and the raft. To mitigate this, keep your distance from the shore and use a bow to take out any threats before they can attack. Alternatively, you can land the raft in a safe area, clear the nearby enemies, and then proceed to gather resources. Always be prepared to retreat to the raft if overwhelmed.\n\nAnother tip is to use the raft to transport heavy resources like copper and tin. These metals are essential for crafting bronze tools and weapons, but they are heavy and slow you down when carried overland. By using the raft, you can transport large quantities of ore back to your base without the risk of encountering Trolls or other dangerous enemies. This is especially useful if your base is near the water.\n\nFinally, remember that the raft is a basic vessel and has limitations. It is slow, has low durability, and cannot be upgraded. For longer journeys or more dangerous waters, consider upgrading to a Karve or Longship once you have the necessary resources. However, for early-game exploration of the Black Forest, the raft is a reliable and cost-effective option.\n\nIn summary, using a raft to explore the Black Forest biome safely involves crafting the raft, sticking close to the shoreline, and using it to scout and transport resources. Be cautious of enemy attacks, and always have an escape plan. With these strategies, you can safely navigate the Black Forest and gather the materials needed to progress in Valheim.